99 taurus keyless entry/radio problems

[kohlio98]

I've got a '99 Tuarus SE and the sounds for my alarm and the horn beep when you lock the doors has stopped working. Some people have told me that is in "valet mode". I don't know if thats the case or not and how I could have possibly put it into that mode. The alarm still works and all the lights still flash just no sound. Not that big of a deal but if anyone knows how to fix, would be cool.

Also the lights on the radio only come on when the headlights come on, I know I will end up needing to replace the entire head unit but, I have had some success taking it out and electrical taping around where it fits into the dash and it worked for a couple months but then went out again. It's got the auto climate control so there's no dials and to turn on the air or heat I have to press by the clock to get the lights to come on to see what i'm doing. Has anyone else experienced anything like this and know of another fix instead of replacing it. I took it into the dealer when it still had a warranty, and they said that was not covered under the warranty. Apparently they said it needed to be fixed instead of replaced, and that they could not fix it.

Any input is appreciated, Thanks.

[KimMG]

Check all electrical connections, making sure they are tight and free of corrosion.

[kohlio98]

I've had the radio out a few times, I'm pretty sure it's a problem with the head unit and not the wiring. The wiring is tight and no corrosion.

[shorod]

Originally Posted by kohlio98

I've had the radio out a few times, I'm pretty sure it's a problem with the head unit and not the wiring. The wiring is tight and no corrosion.

I had somewhat of a similar problem on the MACH control head in my '98 SHO with EATC. On mine, the button lighting would work intermittantly. I opened the unit up and found a few suspect solder joints. I cleaned the joints, wicked the original solder up, and used some good "clean flux" solder and that fixed my radio lighting problem. In my case, the display still worked fine.

As for you alarm system, is it factory or aftermarket? I don't think the factory units have a valet mode or a siren, just honk the horn. If it is aftermarket, do you know the brand of the alarm and where the valet switch is located? Sometimes you need to press and hold the valet switch for 5 seconds, sometimes you need to hold the valet button and turn the ignition on, sometime you open the hood and press the valet button, etc. Depends on the brand. If it's a factory system, your owners manual should tell you how to enter and exit the valet mode if it has such a mode.

-Rod

[kohlio98]

I think I will try to take out the Mach unit and look at it, it's been doing it so long i'm already used to it...

The alarm is the factory alarm (sorry probaly should have noted that..) and i've read the entire alarm section in the manual twice, it doesn't say anything at all about a "valet mode". I've learned a million things you can do with the number lock on the outside of the car though. I don't really want to take it in to the dealership, I know they will charge me just to look at it and then charge for the labor of fixing it... I'll just keep trying things.